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EXUPERY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

+371 266 22 333

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exupery international school head of science department

Head of the Science Department and an IB Biology Teacher at EIS

Linda

Head of the Science Department and an IB Biology Teacher at EIS

Edine

Linda Edine

Meet our Superheroes

By Marianna Hodash
Photographed by Sergey Skopintsev. The publication also includes photographs from a personal archive.

May 20, 2024

At Exupery International School, we believe that teaching is one of this planet's most challenging and important jobs. Teaching is lifelong learning. It involves being compassionate, curious, funny, and caring while also being trustworthy, intelligent, and disciplined. That is why we think our teachers are superheroes and want you to meet them! Here is Linda Abou Fakher Edine, Head of the Science Department and IB Biology Teacher at Exupery International School.

— Please share your overall work experience and how long you have worked as a teacher.

— I have 18 years of experience teaching general science, chemistry, biology, and environmental studies. Before arriving in Latvia, I have taught in Lebanon and Bahrain. I also have one and a half years of experience teaching classical Hatha Yoga.

— What motivated you to choose this subject to teach?

— I have always enjoyed all the science subjects at school. I chose biology mainly because of my curiosity about understanding life processes, especially at the cellular level. I also want to mention my high school biology teacher, who inspired me to become a biologist.

— From your perspective, what is the most essential aspect of a teacher's work?

— Teachers provide the learners with the proper guidance and support to help them believe in their capabilities and encourage them to do their best.

— What challenges do you encounter in your role as a teacher?

— When it comes to challenges, two things come to my mind:

a. The variety of the students' levels in the classroom.
b. Anxiety and high-stress levels in teens.

— What are some of the most unusual questions your students have asked you during biology lessons?

— Throughout my teaching years, I have been asked plenty of questions that were unusual but extremely impressive at the same time. I do recall the following:

a. Why are many people against COVID-19 vaccines if ever since childhood, we have taken vaccines for other deadly diseases?

b. Where did the first virus come from?

c. Why do heart attacks happen if a person is young and healthy?

d. Is it possible that human beings will evolve and look different than how they look now?

— Beyond teaching, what are your hobbies, and how do you spend your free time?

— I enjoy reading. My favorite book is Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. I love to travel to unfamiliar places with beautiful nature and visit historical cities. Losing track of time while cooking Lebanese dishes is also very enjoyable, especially during weekends. Last but not least, I do my Hatha Yoga practices before going about my day.

— Beyond teaching, what are your hobbies, and how do you spend your free time?

— I enjoy reading. My favorite book is Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. I love to travel to unfamiliar places with beautiful nature and visit historical cities. Losing track of time while cooking Lebanese dishes is also very enjoyable, especially during weekends. Last but not least, I do my Hatha Yoga practices before going about my day.

— When and how did you start doing Hatha Yoga? How did you choose this school of Yoga?

— My first visit to Isha Yoga Center in India was back in 2012. I was going through an intense time after my mother's passing. My brother recommended that I go there and do a program known as inner engineering. For me, the experience that I had in that place was beyond explanation. I started understanding and seeing life in a completely different way.

After my first visit, I returned to the Isha Yoga Center for more programs. I decided to become a Hatha Yoga teacher after observing the increased levels of anxiety and stress in people during COVID-19. Based on my personal experience and scientific studies, I wanted to offer something that has innumerable benefits for the body and the mind.

exupery international school teacher hobbiee

— Was it also your initiative to organize Yoga sessions at Exupery International School?

— Yes. I wanted my colleagues and students to experience wonderful results after practicing classical Hatha Yoga and breathing techniques for some time.

— Please tell us more about the benefits of Hatha Yoga, especially for teachers and students.

— With its deep roots in holistic health, Hatha Yoga offers more than just physical benefits; it encourages mental clarity and emotional balance. By practicing the various asanas and breathing techniques, participants can achieve greater peace and focus, especially in an educational environment. This helps reduce stress and anxiety and promotes a more mindful, disciplined approach to personal and academic challenges.

— Could you share your biggest dreams or aspirations with us?

— My greatest aspiration is to enhance the well-being of our community by integrating more classical Hatha Yoga practices into the lives of both our teachers and students.

— Could you share your biggest dreams or aspirations with us?

— My greatest aspiration is to enhance the well-being of our community by integrating more classical Hatha Yoga practices into the lives of both our teachers and students.

— Lastly, what would be your advice to an aspiring teacher?

— If I give only one piece of advice to an aspiring teacher, it would be to observe your learners, understand their emotional needs, inspire them, and help them believe in their capabilities to achieve their goals.

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